Every year, Food & Wine bestows the title of Best New Chef on the top up-and-coming chefs in 10 different regions of the United States. This year, they’re opening voting up to the public in what they’re calling, “The People’s Best New Chef.”

Minnesota is well-represented in the Midwest region (which includes Arkansas for some reason). Our nominees are:

Three out of ten nominees is nothing to scoff at. The only state with a better showing? Missouri. We didn’t even know they were our Midwest culinary rivals, but now…it’s on. The last time Minnesota took home the Best New Chef in the Midwest was Stewart Woodman of Heidi’s (which re-opened last month after a fire damaged their old spot last year).